Limited spatial accessibility to healthy food options has contributed to a rise in poor health outcomes and higher prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. While urban areas have received significant attention, the issue remains underexplored in rural settings. Rural residents encounter more amplified accessibility challenges. This research assesses the impact of land use policies on access to healthy and adequate food options in rural areas in Jordan. Open-ended surveys with residents, field surveys of food stores, and spatial mapping were used to define and map food access in the study area. In-depth interviews with the owners of vacant commercial lands and decisionmakers responsible for land use planning were conducted to clarify the impact of land use regulations on food access in rural areas. Findings identified a significant gap in integrating food access issues within the land use planning process. Existing laws do not compel municipalities to ensure adequate distribution of food stores. The findings underscore the complex interplay between food availability, pricing, access, and spatial distribution, particularly in rural contexts. Addressing these challenges necessitates coordinated efforts across urban planning, economic regulation, and community engagement to ensure equitable access to food for all residents, especially in times of crisis.
Dalgamoni et al. (Wed,) studied this question.